Welcome to colon cancer symptoms!
What is cancer?
Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. They affect the body's basic unit, the cell. Cancer occurs when cells become abnormal and divide without control or order. Like all other organs of the body, the colon and rectum are made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This orderly process helps keep us healthy.
If cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms. This mass of extra tissue, called a growth or tumor, can be benign or malignant.
Benign tumors are not cancer. They can usually be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. Most important, cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.
Malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer cells can invade and damage tissues and organs near the tumor. Also, cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This is how cancer spreads from the original [primary] tumor to form new tumors in other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
When cancer spreads to another part of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary tumor. For example, if colon cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are colon cancer cells.
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What is cancer of the colon and rectum?
The colon is the part of the digestive system where the waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. Together, they form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine [also known as the large bowel]. Tumors of the colon and rectum are growths arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. Benign tumors of the large intestine are called polyps. Malignant tumors of the large intestine are called cancers. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can be easily removed during colonoscopy and are not life-threatening. If benign polyps are not removed from the large intestine, they can become malignant [cancerous] over time. Most of the cancers of the large intestine are believed to have developed from polyps. Cancer of the colon and rectum [also referred to as colorectal cancer] can invade and damage adjacent tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also break away and spread to other parts of the body [such as liver and lung] where new tumors form. The spread of colon cancer to distant organs is called metastasis of the colon cancer. Once metastasis has occurred in colorectal cancer, a complete cure of the cancer is unlikely.
Colon Cancer:
The colon, in four sections, makes up the majority of the 5-foot length of the large intestine. In the alimentary canal [the path that food follows through your body], the colon follows the small intestine and comes before the rectum. The colon is responsible for absorbing water, vitamins, and minerals from the intestinal contents and conserving them. It also mixes the intestinal contents, forms stools, and rids the body of undigested material.
Colon and rectum cancers are sometimes referred to together as colorectal cancer - in this article, they will be referred to as “colon cancer.” Together they are the third most common cancer in adults and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the United States. Most cases of colon cancer begin with the development of benign polyps, finger-like growths that protrude into the intestinal cavity. These benign polyps are relatively common in people over age 50. They can become cancerous, though; with the ability to invade the normal colon and spread to other parts of the body [metastasize]. The tumors can create blockages in the intestine, preventing elimination.
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colon cancer symptoms
The exact causes of colon and rectal cancer are not known, but risk appears to be associated with genetic, dietary, and lifestyle factors. Those with a personal or family history of colon cancer or polyps are at a higher risk, as are those with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, and immunodeficiency disorders. A rare inherited disease called familial adenomatosis or polyposis causes benign polyps to develop early in life and causes cancer in almost all affected persons unless the colon is removed. Risk also increases with age and with the occurrence of cancers in other parts of the body. High fat and meat diets are a risk factor, especially combined with minimal fruit, vegetable, and fiber intake. Lifestyle factors include cigarette smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle.
